“I am a father. I can fight monsters and villains. I can also protect my daughter from sun and rain. I can kill every mosquito in the house so they don't bite her. I can give my life for her. My daughter thinks I'm invincible. Sakshi is sure I can save her from cancer. I feel guilty for letting her believe that,” says Rakhmaji who for the first time in 11 years came across something from which he cannot protect his daughter.
Sakshi has a very aggressive form of blood cancer
Last May, Rakhmaji and Savita’s world turned upside down. Sakshi had a high temperature of 103 degrees. Just as Rakhmaji took her to the doctor, her BP went to a dangerous low. She could not even sit up on the hospital because of a throbbing headache. The doctor told them advised them to rush to a Mumbai hospital.“I didn’t have the money to travel from Nasik to Mumbai. But the doctors in Nasik told me she has cancer, that if I don’t start her treatment immediately, my daughter could die.” - Rakhmaji.
Any more delay in treatment can cause cancer to spread
Since May, Sakshi has been undergoing chemotherapy. It is not enough to cure her cancer. She needs a bone marrow transplant. Her surgery was scheduled months ago, but Rakhmaji could not arrange funds in time. Since then, this family is scrambling to get money, terrified that the delay will cause her cancer to metastasize.“She was in 6th standard. She had to drop out. She loved painting and playing with my younger children. She cannot even see them now. She cannot eat her favorite food or even get out of the sterile room. Cancer took her innocence and childhood, and I can't let it take her life.” - Savita
After being jobless for 7 months, Rakhmaji doesn’t have the means to afford Sakshi’s treatment
It used to take 6 hours to travel from home to the hospital. When Sakshi got weaker, the family was forced to rent a room near the hospital. This meant Rakhmaji had to give up his income as a driver in Nasik. He has been unemployed for 7 months.
Help a father save his daughter
“I had to borrow money from my friends and relatives even for my basic needs. We have spent Rs 7.5 lakhs on my daughter’s treatment so far. I don’t know how to arrange another Rs 15 lakhs for her bone marrow transplant now. Her 6-year-old sister, Jayshree has been confirmed as her donor, but without the money, we will lose her to cancer.” - Rakhmaji
Supporting Document
The specifics of this case have been verified by the medical team at the concerned hospital. For any clarification on the treatment or associated costs, contact the campaign organizer or the medical team.
